From Science to Spa – and Back to the Roots of Nature
My journey with science and nature began in childhood, rooted in the red, fertile soils of West Africa.
As the eldest daughter of a young Indian surgeon who moved our family therein 1959, I was raised to see nature as a source of both nourishment and medicine. My father – a man of vision, compassion, and deep ancestral knowledge – cultivated lush gardens filled with orchids, vegetables, and medicinal herbs.
These gardens were not only for beauty or sustenance, but for healing.
Together, we gathered, crushed, and brewed traditional remedies to support those in the community who couldn’t afford treatment. I was taught to smell,taste, and touch every plant – even the ones that stung or burned – and to understand their unique purpose.
Our home was surrounded by trees grown from seeds; it was a place where the miracles of nature unfolded daily, and where my love for plant-based healing began. This was a world of rich, fertile soil: where if you spat out a pip from an orange or papaya within a week a new shot appeared.
As a young adult, this passion led me into scientific research. I began my career in the hair and skin labs at Unilever, working with formulation chemists on new cosmetic innovations. Later, I moved into vaccine research at the WHO centre for the Ministry of Agriculture. It was a satisfying, intellectually rich time – but after a serious illness and my father’s urging, I stepped away and recalibrated.
Facing the crossroads of career decisions, I retrained in London, studying cosmetology before launching my first spa and clinic in Mayfair. That led me into senior roles with international beauty houses – Estée Lauder, Kanebo,Orlane – where I expanded into training, education, and brand development.
But something called me back – not away from science, but deeper into the space where science and nature converge.
Throughout the 1990s and beyond, I immersed myself in complementary therapies, teaching and examining in Anatomy, Physiology, Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Skincare and more – in the UK and internationally. This was when my true calling emerged: developing bespoke formulations for both start-up sand established global brands.
From signature fragrances for ESPA, to consulting for Trelonk Wellbeing, Ashmira Botanica, Elyse & Me, and many more – my focus has always been the same: to unite the intelligence of plants with modern evidence-based science, and to guide founders through the delicate, often complex process of bringing their product to life.
At Simple Essentials, this is what we do best.
We work with brand owners, dermatologists, formulation chemists and creative visionaries to design and deliver skincare, wellbeing and fragrance products with integrity. Whether you’re developing a hero formula, building an educational programme, or crafting a training strategy for your team – we bring decades of knowledge, deep-rooted intuition, and practical clarity to every stage.
Today, my greatest joy is mentoring others on this journey – helping founders unlock ideas, trust in the process, and create something truly aligned with the irvalues. From seed to skin, from concept to clinical – we are here to walk beside you.
If you’re curious about how we could work together…
Ask about our Essential Wellbeing Mentoring program for skincare and wellbeing entrepreneurs
1:1 botanical formulation advice and consultancy
Join us at one of our workshops or industry collaborations
And of course you can always email me here.
